S*1623 Resolution, By Courson
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE COLONEL JACK VAN LOAN, ECONOMIC
 DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND ST. PAT'S FESTIVAL CHAIRMAN OF THE FIVE POINTS
 ASSOCIATION IN COLUMBIA, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, AND TO WISH HIM
 CONTINUED SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

   07/18/12  Senate Introduced and adopted

TO CONGRATULATE COLONEL JACK VAN LOAN, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND ST. PAT'S FESTIVAL CHAIRMAN OF THE FIVE POINTS ASSOCIATION IN COLUMBIA, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate have learned that Colonel Jack Van Loan, economic development director and St. Pat's Festival chairman of the Five Points Association in Columbia, began a much-deserved retirement on April 30, 2012, after twenty years of outstanding service; and

Whereas, a native of Oregon, Jack Van Loan was born in 1931 to Lillian and Wendell Van Loan. In preparation for his long career, the young Jack graduated from Oregon State University in 1954; and

Whereas, in the fall of that same year, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force, beginning thirty years of distinguished military service encompassing tours of duty in the United States, Scotland, Japan, and Thailand; and

Whereas, during his seventy-fourth combat mission in May 1967, he was shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese. When he was released in March 1973, he had survived six years in a North Vietnamese prison camp; and

Whereas, in July 1974, he departed for Washington, D.C., to attend the National War College, from which he graduated in June 1975 with distinction; and

Whereas, in July 1978, he took up his duties at Shaw Air Force Base, serving as vice commander of the 507th Tactical Air Control Wing and assuming command in May 1979; and

Whereas, a command pilot, Colonel Van Loan holds the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, and Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster; and

Whereas, in 1992, now a businessman, Jack Van Loan moved his water business into Five Points and became a member and valuable volunteer of the Five Points Association (FPA), of which he eventually became president; and

Whereas, later, he commenced full-time employment with the FPA as economic development director and St. Pat's Festival chairman. During his years of service with the organization, FPA regained ownership of the St. Pat's Festival, brought credibility to it, and made it profitable. In addition, under his leadership the association paid back a loan in full to the City of Columbia, further enhancing the association's and the festival's credibility; and

Whereas, Colonel Van Loan's other major accomplishments for the FPA include the building of the 1997 Five Points fountain and helping to win federal funding for the massive streetscaping project completed just a few years ago; and

Whereas, the Senate, grateful for the consistent commitment and excellence Colonel Jack Van Loan has demonstrated in his service to the people of Richland County, takes great pleasure in wishing him well as he enters retirement and trusts he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Colonel Jack Van Loan, economic development director and St. Pat's Festival chairman of the Five Points Association in Columbia, upon the occasion of his retirement, and wish him continued success and fulfillment in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Colonel Jack Van Loan.